Vaccination update December 27th

 

The largest European travel company, TUI Nordic, has reportedly cancelled chartered flights scheduled to bring some 30,000 tourists to Phuket from December to April next year. The Nation

30,000 European tourists cancel yearend trip to Phuket

The largest European travel company, TUI Nordic, has reportedly cancelled chartered flights scheduled to bring some 30,000 tourists to Phuket from December to April next year.

"The company's announcement came on December 25, a couple of days after the government suspended the Test & Go scheme, which allows registrants to enter Thailand without having to quarantine," Angkhana Thaneswisetkul, president of Phuket Hotels Association (Kata and Karon), said on Sunday.

The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration announced that no new Thailand Pass applications would be accepted from December 22 midnight. The aim is to curb Omicron infections and the situation will be re-evaluated on January 4.

"The suspension of the Test & Go scheme is affecting tourists' decision to visit Phuket, even though they can still enter the country under the Phuket Sandbox programme," said Angkhana, who is also commissioner of the Thai Hotels Association (Southern Chapter). "Furthermore, most European countries are now enforcing quarantine for returnees from countries that have Omicron outbreak, which has further increased tourists' reluctance to book a trip to Thailand despite the New Year holidays."

Meanwhile, Thanes Supharasahasrangsee, acting president of the Chonburi Federation of Tourism Industry, said tourism operators in Chonburi, Rayong and Prachuap Khiri Khan have called on the Tourism and Sports Ministry and the Tourism Authority of Thailand to consider turning tourist cities like Pattaya, Koh Samet and Hua Hin into "blue zones" or sandbox areas.

"Turning these cities into blue zones will help attract foreign tourists and keep the tourism industry alive while it is still recovering from the impact of Covid-19," he said. "Many small businesses had started reopening on November 1 when the government announced the country was reopening under the Test and Go scheme. With the scheme suspended, these businesses are likely to shut down again, some maybe for good."





New cases found in kingdom. The Public Health Ministry will outline its worst case scenarios for the period after the long New Year holiday following the discovery of new cases of the Omicron variant in several provinces. Bangkok Post

New cases found in kingdom

People wait for their turn at a vaccination centre at Bang Sue Grand Station in Bangkok on Sunday before the coming New Year holiday. (Photo: Apichart Jinakul)

The Public Health Ministry will outline its worst case scenarios for the period after the long New Year holiday following the discovery of new cases of the Omicron variant in several provinces.

The ministry on Sunday reported finding two probable cases in Chiang Mai, two confirmed cases in Loei and one in Songkhla.

The two were identified as one German man and one British man by Chiang Mai governor Prajon Pratsakun.

The initial report shows they have contracted the Omicron variant but a firmer result will be released today, he said.

Thailand reported its first Omicron case earlier this month, and more infections were later found in more than 10 provinces, including Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Bangkok, Prachuap, Phuket and Krabi.

Kiatiphum Wongrajit, permanent secretary for public health, said the department will tomorrow publish its three worst and best case scenarios on the Covid-19 situation as people travel during the long New Year holiday.

The aim is to prepare the country for a possible outbreak and review Covid-19 measures, he said.

Dr Waranyoo Jamnongprasartporn, deputy chief of the provincial public health office in Chiang Mai, said the 22-year-old German tourist arrived at Suvarnabhumi airport on Dec 17 and tested negative for Covid-19.

He stayed in Bangkok before flying to Chiang Mai on Dec 21, where he fell ill, Dr Waranyoo said, adding the patient tested positive for Covid-19 on Friday.

A total of 18 people considered at high risk of contracting the disease from the man and seven others considered at low risk have been contacted by health authorities, he said.

Meanwhile, the Briton, 64, arrived at Suvarnabhumi airport on Dec 18, tested negative upon arrival, fell ill on Thursday and tested positive for Covid-19 the following day, Dr Waranyoo said.

Three close contacts have been identified and they have all been contacted by health authorities, he said.

In Loei, a family of three -- a Thai-French couple with their child -- flew to Thailand on Dec 16 with negative Covid-19 test results, said Dr Pramote Sathienrat, an inspector of the Public Health Ministry.

The wife met a group of 10 friends in Bangkok before flying to Loei, he said.

The couple fell ill on Friday and tested positive for the Omicron variant, while the child tested negative, Dr Pramote said. In Songkhla, a 36-year-old resident of Sathing Phra district tested positive for the Omicron variant on Friday, according to the provincial disease control committee.

It said she returned from Italy on Dec 15 and tested negative for Covid-19 upon arrival at Suvarnahbumi airport. However, the patient began developing coronavirus symptoms on Dec 17 and tested positive on Dec 21, the panel said.

Since the country reopened on Dec 1, 646 out of all 228,534 visitors, or 0.28%, have tested positive for Covid-19, according to the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration in data published on Saturday.

In Kalasin, where two Omicron cases caused the formation of a cluster of 64 infections, local organisations were ordered on Sunday to refrain from organising parties. In another measure, private parties were asked to have no more than 100 guests.



Bangkok Post highlights 27/12

 

Covid19 update December 27th.

 

Lufthansa, SWISS and Austrian are now offering superb fares for two or more people travelling together. The campaign includes attractive Business Class and First Class fares from the UK, the Nordics and several other European departure points to popular destinations in Asia, the Middle East and Africa. Book by 11th January, 2022 for travel up to 14th December, 2022. businessclass.com

Recent clashes between the Myanmar military and the ethnic Karen resistance movement across the border have prompted more than 5,000 people from Myanmar to flee into Tak's Mae Sot district, authorities said. Tak governor Somchai Kitcharoenrungroj said that as of Sunday, 5,358 villagers from Myanmar had crossed the Moei River to seek refuge on Thai soil. Bangkok News

Over 5,000 flee clashes along Thai-Myanmar border to Tak

A soldier sits in front of a blocked road leading to the Thai-Myanmar border in Tak on Dec 19, 2021. Fighting between the Myanmar army and ethnic minority rebels continues. (Reuters photo)

Recent clashes between the Myanmar military and the ethnic Karen resistance movement across the border have prompted more than 5,000 people from Myanmar to flee into Tak's Mae Sot district, authorities said.

Tak governor Somchai Kitcharoenrungroj said that as of Sunday, 5,358 villagers from Myanmar had crossed the Moei River to seek refuge on Thai soil.

Security officials have also extended humanitarian assistance to refugees sheltering in Mae Sot and Phop Phra districts, where those injured are being treated by medics, he said.

As the clashes along the Thai-Myanmar border escalate, reports of stray bullets and grenades from across the border have also increased in Mae Sot and Phop Phra districts.

In response, border authorities are warning conflicting parties to ensure their clashes do not spill over into Thai territory.

Tak's provincial administration have also warned residents not to approach the border, and ordered authorities to beef up patrols along the frontier.

Fearing they might get hit by stray bullets from Myanmar, some residents have chosen to leave their homes for the safety of their relatives' houses, schools and temples further from the border.

The clashes between Myanmar and Karen National Union (KNU) troops have cooled down after heating up at the start of the weekend, observers say.

On Saturday night, Myanmar troops fired heavy weaponry at KNU positions in Mae Tod Taloh village, in Myanmar's Myawaddy province, opposite Ban Don Chai Rim Moei in Tak's Mae Sot district.

The military also launched airstrikes on the KNU stronghold, causing over 1,000 Myanmar villagers to flee into Thailand for shelter.

They were taken to Ban Mae Ku Mai Tha Sung stadium, authorities said.

As of Sunday, 167 refugees from Myanmar were still sheltering at Ban Ku Luang, after 59 decided to return, sources said.

Meanwhile, 1,302 people remained at the shelter at Ban Mae Tao Klang school, while 1,511 remained in Khok Wua Maha Wan Moei.

The Chonburi Department of Public Health announced 179 new and confirmed cases of Covid-19 today with one new death, December 26th. Pattaya News

Chonburi announces 179 new and confirmed cases of Covid-19 and one new death

Sunday, 26 December 2021, 14:41

Highlights:

• 179 new confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Chonburi today

• 169 people recovered and were released from medical care

• One new death

The Chonburi Department of Public Health announced 179 new and confirmed cases of Covid-19 today with one new death, December 26th.

This makes a total of 111,868 cases of Covid-19 in the current round of infections, with 1,969 people still under medical care/supervision, and with a total of 788 recorded deaths in Chonburi since the start of this recent round of infections in early April.

Additionally, 169 people were also released and recovered yesterday in Chonburi. 109,111 people in total have now been released from medical care and recovered in Chonburi since this current wave of Covid-19 began.

Two people were listed as being in serious condition in Chonburi currently, either on a ventilator or pneumonia, Both of them were not vaccinated.

One new death today is 57-years–old with personal health problems and was not vaccinated.

In total, 1,904,502 people in Pattaya and Chonburi have received their first dose of a Covid -19 vaccine which is 81.77 percent of the total Chonburi population. Of those, 297,531 have received their first dose and are what the Thai government calls 608 groups (elders, have chronic health problems, and pregnant) which is 80.43 percent of those in these risk groups in Chonburi.

The district-level new cases were as follows today:

Mueang Chonburi 30, Si Racha 39, Banglamung (Pattaya) 69, Panat Nikhom 5, Sattahip 2, Ban Bueng 3, Phan Thong 18, Bor Thong 1, and 12 people transferred from other provinces for medical care.

The details on the cases are as follows:

1. Work and stayed in Rayong, transferred from other provinces for medical care, 11 cases
2. Cluster, Ge Mao Rubber International in Phan Thong, 5 cases
3. Cluster, Thai Summit PKK company in Banglamung, 5 cases
4. Cluster, Leschaco company in Si Racha, 4 cases
5. Cluster, active case finding in Bang Phra community in Si Racha, 3 cases
6. Cluster, Supawut industries company in Banglamung, 5 cases
7. Cluster, Asahi Tec Group company in Mueang Chonburi, 5 cases
8. Risky occupations meeting many people, 8 cases
9. Close contacts from previously confirmed cases in families – 42 cases, in workplaces – 28 cases, close personal contacts – 9 cases, and joined a party – 6 cases
10. Close contacts of a confirmed patient (under investigation), 9 cases
11. 39 cases close contacts of a confirmed patient (under investigation.

A total of 205 COVID-19 patients have been identified as having contracted the Omicron coronavirus variant, including a local cluster of 25 cases. Thailand’s health authorities confirmed that all of the cases have been linked to international travelers. The Department of Medical Sciences (DMS) reported the 205 Omicron cases, 180 of which were detected among international travelers, while the remaining 25 were found in the local population. Pattaya Mail

Thailand links 205 Omicron cases to international travellers

Pattaya MailDecember 26, 2021

Dr. Supakit said the Delta variant remains the dominant strain in Thailand, with genetic sequencing of samples from international arrivals and the local population from the past week showing 732 Delta cases and 142 Omicron cases while Alpha and Beta cases were no longer detected.

A total of 205 COVID-19 patients have been identified as having contracted the Omicron coronavirus variant, including a local cluster of 25 cases. Thailand's health authorities confirmed that all of the cases have been linked to international travelers.

The Department of Medical Sciences (DMS) reported the 205 Omicron cases, 180 of which were detected among international travelers, while the remaining 25 were found in the local population.



DMS Director-General Dr. Supakit Sirilak said the Delta variant remains the dominant strain in Thailand, with genetic sequencing of samples from international arrivals and the local population from the past week showing 732 Delta cases and 142 Omicron cases. Alpha and Beta cases were no longer detected.

The director-general noted that the department is still capable of identifying new variants, including Omicron-like strains. He also cited a study from Hong Kong University that suggested the Omicron variant can spread 70 times faster than the Delta variant, but is less damaging to the lungs.



Data from the United Kingdom indicated that the transmission rate of Omicron between family members is also higher than that of Delta.

Citing the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Dr. Supakit added that currently available vaccines provide less protection against Omicron, but can still prevent serious symptoms, while several studies suggest that booster doses can help strengthen the immune system regardless of the vaccine brand. (NNT)